Sunday, September 23, 2007

Forward and backward rolls

Alright, here's a demonstration of two forms of ukemi (falling). What do you guys think of it? I'd like some specifics to discuss. What do you think is excellent about these two forms? What needs work or rethinking? Is this level of refinement on these two skills sufficient or should one continue to strive to improve these two basic forms? Are these two forms good ones to teach a beginner?

5 comments:

It's very fluid and he seems relaxed but isn't the foot tuck a no no? I noticed that the big differance from our current way of doing it is he bends his knee as he goes forward. As far as a specific, isn't he taking all of the "fall" out of his forward rolls by doing that? I may be wrong but i get the impression that a beginner's ukemi would grow to be less automatic and more a prepared thing by doing that and that could be bad since most falls aren't something to plan for. I may have gone off in left field on that.

foot tuck is dangerous -- he's smooth but also very "posed"-- this falling only goes so far then you need exposure to being thrown completely beyond your own control once a player gets there, falls are much more a natural part movement

That's sorta the idea i was trying to describe thought not that well. It seems more like he's just crouching into it, like at any moment he could just pause. Pat has us make our forward rolls by moving untill there's a point of no return and then going beyond it into a roll. It definately creates a sense of being beyond your control!

The only thing i can say for a beginner, still being one myself, is that our way creates this thing in your mind akin to a leap of faith and that's a hard thing to overcome. Facing a "fear" of falling, especially forward towards your noggin, is one of the most un-natural feeling things we come across in our practice. Atleast from my standpoint.

I think that the crouch he rolls into especially at the point where his leg is extended out in front of his center gives the person a better "guide" when it comes to having your upper body in the right position of the roll. It creates that same gap between the legs that we get when we roll forward on the floor. Maybe it'd be a litte easier for a newbie to digest.

Who writes this stuff anyway?

The Super-Important Small Print

The contents of this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do not mistake any of this entertaining information for advice.Martial arts training is a physical contact activity in which there is significant risk to the participants. Practice is frequently very physically strenuous and mentally and emotionally challenging. Participation can result in injuries or damages of any sort, including permanent disability, deformity, or death. Sometimes the risks are not even foreseeable by trained experts.

It would be wise of you to obtain the help of a qualified instructor and have a physician examine you and clear you for strenuous physical contact before you try any of these very dangerous activities - even though physicians and instructors cannot make the activity completely safe for anyone.

You should always inspect the practice area, the equipment, your partners, and yourself for risks before starting, but even that will not save you 100% of the time.

Your participation is voluntary, so if you see something that you think is unsafe you should immediately tell the instructor and decline to participate in that activity. Always work within your own limits.

Amazon Affiliate

Mokuren Dojo is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for this website to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon.